MICHAEL & RIZZA - Malapascua

The Michael & Rizza is a bit of a quiet hero in Malapascua, often overshadowed by the thresher shark hype. We think that's a shame. This isn't some ancient galleon, it’s a modern barge, but it’s settled nicely upright at 28 meters and offers a fantastic penetration for those with the right training. Drop down, and the first thing you notice is how open the cargo hold is. Sunlight shafts through, illuminating schools of sweetlips and snapper hanging out inside, almost like they're sheltering from the current. We love exploring the wheelhouse, it’s still largely intact and gives a real sense of the vessel’s working life. Look closely, and you’ll find nudibranchs clinging to the metalwork and a surprising number of scorpionfish camouflaged on the deck. The currents here can pick up, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack tide to really take your time poking around the edges for moray eels. It’s a site that really rewards a slow, deliberate dive, letting you appreciate the quiet reclamation by the ocean.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.823717, 123.084380
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m

Best Time to Dive in Malapascua

The warmest water temperatures in Malapascua occur in June, averaging 29.9°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.5°C
  • February: 27.1°C
  • March: 27.6°C
  • April: 28.3°C
  • May: 29.6°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.6°C
  • September: 29.8°C
  • October: 29.6°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Malapascua

Nearest Dive Centres to MICHAEL & RIZZA

Marine Life in Malapascua

Home to 88 recorded species including 72 reef fish, 5 crabs & lobsters, 5 sharks & rays, 2 other, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for MICHAEL & RIZZA

Based on average water temperature of 28.9°C, currents 15 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories